Right now, you spend $64 in taxes
on a typical $300 airline ticket.

Isn't that enough?

Tell Congress you won’t stand for a tax hike that could cost air travelers untold billions!

U.S. airports charge passengers a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), a tax just for using the airport. Airports collected $3.2 billion in 2016, breaking the record set in 2015, and are estimated to set a new record in 2017. Even with all this revenue, the airports are claiming it's not enough. They're asking Congress to almost double the PFC tax, meaning a family of four would pay $104 in the PFC tax alone on a round trip ticket.

Tell your senators this tax hike won't fly with you

Myths vs. Facts

Myth

The PFC cap has not been adjusted since 2000 and airports need a “modernized” PFC to meet their infrastructure needs.

Fact

Airports don’t need more money; they are already collecting record levels of revenues. In 2016, airline rents and fees hit a record $11.4 billion, non-airline rents and fees, such as parking, retail, food and beverage, reached a record $9.7 billion, and PFCs reached $3.2 billion, the highest level in the history of the PFC program. Passenger taxes also fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF), which supports airport projects around the country through the Airport Improvement Program. The AATF is stable with an uncommitted balance of almost $6 billion, providing a secure funding source for airport projects. Airports have almost $14.2 billion in unrestricted cash and investments and easy access to the bond market, which are at historically low interest rates given their investment-grade ratings. There is no need to “modernize” — or rather increase — the Airport Tax on the backs of passengers because airports have plenty of money.

Myth

Passengers can easily afford a PFC increase.

Fact

American consumers are overburdened with federal taxes and fees. Today, federal taxes constitute 21 percent, or $64, of a typical domestic one-stop, round-trip ticket. Every dollar increase in the PFC will cost consumers $800 million more annually in taxes. If airports get their tax increase, the sky is the limit. This is real money taken directly out of the pockets of American families.

Myth

A PFC increase will fund new facilities, attracting air service and lowering airfares.

Fact

Raising the PFC tax would curb the expansion of U.S. air service and air travel growth. Air travelers are price-sensitive and even the smallest increase in airline ticket costs has a negative impact on travel decisions. In December 2014, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that increasing the PFC cap would slow passenger growth and reduce revenues in the AATF. New facilities can be funded through the existing array of airport finance mechanisms. Higher PFCs will discourage travel and, moreover, will hamper airlines ability to expand air service if faced with higher costs. In fact, higher PFCs might hurt competition as increased costs will disproportionately impact low-fare carriers who serve a larger share of price-sensitive customers.

Myth

Without an increase in the PFC, the AATF will dry up.

Fact

The AATF already has a healthy almost $6 billion uncommitted balance. In addition, PFC revenues are not deposited into the AATF; they are remitted directly to the charging airports. The only effect a higher PFC would have on the AATF, as noted by the GAO, is to slow passenger growth and reduce revenues.

Myth

Consumers firmly believe that an increase in the PFC is worth it because of the need for infrastructure projects like highways, roads, bridges and airports.

Fact

Americans understand the PFC modernization jargon that airports are using to disguise their desire to hike the Airport Tax. Americans understand the PFC modernization jargon that airports are using to disguise their desire to hike the Airport Tax. In fact, a 2017 nationwide survey of nearly 2,000 voters showed that 89 percent of respondents oppose hiking the PFC.

Airline Investment in Airport Improvement Projects

Over $100 billion of capital projects have been completed, are underway or approved at the nation’s 30 largest airports alone since 2008. Additionally, U.S. airlines invested more than $17.5 billion in 2016 to enhance the travel experience. Airport improvements include new terminals and runways, to upgraded check-in and gate experiences, as well as other amenities like charging stations. Airlines are strong partners in airport finance, and the long-standing collaboration with airports is helping make air travel more efficient and more convenient for all customers.

Click on the airports below to see recent improvements completed across the country.

The Latest News:

February 5, 2018

California Passengers Will Pay up to $416.2 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that California fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as February 8th.

New York Passengers Will Pay up to $223.6 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that New York fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as February 8th.

South Carolina Passengers Will Pay up to $17.2 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that South Carolina fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as February 8th.

Nevadans Could Pay Millions In Extra Airport Fees

In a report posted to the CBS Las Vegas and KXNT 840AM radio website, Nevadans could pay millions in extra airport fees under a proposal to raise the passenger facility charge. Citing analysis from Stop Air Tax Now, Nevadans could be on the hook for up to $92.43 million more in PFCs.

Nevada Passengers Will Pay up to $92.4 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Nevada fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as February 8th.

Mississippi Passengers Will Pay up to $3.1 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Mississippi fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19.

Wyoming Passengers Will Pay up to $2.1 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Wyoming fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19.

Missouri Passengers Will Pay up to $43.8 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Missouri fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19.

Oklahoma Passengers Will Pay up to $12.2 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Oklahoma fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19.

Tennessee Passengers Will Pay up to $35.8 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Tennessee fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19.

Arkansas Passengers Will Pay up to $6.8 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Arkansas fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19.

Kentucky Passengers Will Pay up to $20.4 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Kentucky fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19.

South Dakota Passengers Will Pay up to $3.2 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that South Dakota fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19.

Alabama Passengers Will Pay up to $9.1 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Alabama fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19.

Nebraska Passengers Will Pay up to $9.3 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Nebraska fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19.

Florida Passengers Will Pay up to $317 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

If Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports, Florida passengers can expect to shoulder up to $317 million of the burden in increased taxes, according to an analysis by Stop Air Tax Now. The fee hike could be approved as early as January 19th.

Building a Modern Airport in Salt Lake City From One Well Past Its Prime

More than three years after construction was started to rebuild Salt Lake City International Airport and scrape away a collection of obsolete terminals, the contours of one of the nation’s largest air travel infrastructure projects are taking shape. The project is part of the $10 billion a year that airports invest to modernize infrastructure in the United States, according to the Airports Council International-North America, a trade group in Washington.

Maine Passengers Will Pay up to $4.6 Million in Additional Airport Fees Under New Proposal

Stop Air Tax Now, a project of Airlines for America, today released an analysis detailing the higher fees that Maine fliers will pay if Congress approves a proposal to raise a fee passengers pay when flying out of commercial airports. The fee hike could be approved as early as December 22. The proposal would increase the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), a tax added to the cost of plane tickets that is transferred directly to airports, by $4, which raises the total to $8.50 on the first leg of each flight. The study shows that travelers flying out of Maine will annually pay up to $4.6 million more in PFCs under the new proposal.

Eugene Airport breaks 1 million passenger mark

The rapidly concluding year will be remembered for setting a record at the Eugene Airport. The city-owned facility announced Monday it had surpassed 1 million annual passengers for the first time. ... The airport receives $4.50 for every ticket sold to departing passengers and uses the revenue from the facility charge for construction projects. Last year, the airport’s 483,955 outbound passengers yielded about $2.2 million for capital projects. Late last year, the airport completed a two-year, $19 million renovation of the passenger terminal.

Senate Appropriators Should Use Unspent Taxes Before Raising Taxes Again

On July 27, 2017, you voted to increase taxes on airline passengers in S. 1655, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2018. Your vote nearly doubles the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) tax, from $4.50 to $8.50. That tax increase will cost airline travelers another $2.6 billion per year. It will hurt passengers, the economy and airlines, as well as small community air service by making travel more expensive.

Not Another Tax Increase

Every day the average American is subject to taxes and fees nearly everywhere we look. One of the fees I was dismayed to learn the federal government might soon allow to increase is the Passenger Facility Charge. The PFC is only one of several taxes and fees that people must pay with they fly. Al of those dollars and cents add up quickly, and if you're trying to take an entire family on vacation or send a group of employees to visit a branch office, the costs add up very quickly